Where does the time go?

In checking my blogger dashboard I realize it has been almost two months since i last posted!! What have i been doing? Well, for one thing i have been working on a very challenging piece. As it has been unfolding I have taken issue with parts of it and when that is resolved i find another section i am unhappy with. But i am determined to resolve the entire work vs. starting over. I could begin again with a better basic design and I still may do so but the persistent part of me wants to see how far i can take this to a resolution. I will post here the latest of these reworks and as soon as i can post the final solution i will. (The area that is challenging me is the upper left quadrant.) any thoughts?

In the meantime i am beginning another new work in this "Vessels" series and look forward to sharing the process with you.

Sisterhood

"Sisterhood "
acrylic

36 x 60

The latest in the Vessels series. I am at a loss for words as to how each of these come to be. They just seem to percolate, formulate and make their way to the canvas.

Triptych#2 Nature's Vessels

The great part about artistic license is you get to change your mind, anytime! I was playing around with photomerge and decided to see what my original triptych idea would like putting them altogether. So here it is triptych #2 Nature's Vessels.

I think it works, what do you think?

I'm still sitting on the fence with regards to transferring them to larger canvases. These are on watercolor paper and measure approx 26 across x 16. I'm afraid i won't be able to replicate the same atmosphere of depth and mystery. So for now i'm going to live with them on a smaller scale.

Study of Nature's Vessels

This is a study i have been working on along with two others for my series of Nature's Vessels. I thought i would have a triptych but the more i look at them I think this should remain on its own. The following two i believe belong together maybe as a diptych.

I would like to now transfer these to large canvases.

In the meantime, I had another vessel "epiphany" (sp?). So i have been working simultaneously on that as well. This whole theme is really beginning to take on a life of its own. It seems everywhere i turn there is a vessel connection!

I was talking with someone the other day who was telling me about her daughter's connection with horses and riding and how it was helping her feel grounded. It is common knowledge of how horse therapy has helped many people with various issues and there it was. Horses as vessels!!

i'll have to research this some more.

I am happy to report my Divine Vessels have been invited to show at The Art of Reiki in Troy. It is a beautiful space for them and very appropro for the series.

So while my posts are sporadic I have been working hard and hope to continue posts of my vessel journey! I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful summer and staying cool!

Nature's Vessels

As I was working on this last triptych i had a nagging sensation to create trees. The images of trees kept popping into my head and eventually on paper with charcoal. As i worked the first image a figure began to appear very obscurely. Since the original work was created from design #2 of Divine Vessels (bottles) i knew it had to mean something connected with my vessel series. So i researched the symbolism of trees and the connections began to take form.

One of the explanations really resonated with me. Trees symbolize unusual strength, resolution and courage; a constant, dynamic interchange between matter and spirit, earth and heaven. Hmmm. so why does the figure (usually the female) keep surfacing in my work?

I have to conclude that trees serve as a symbol for vessels. That they deliver unusual strength, resolution and courage in nature. I have seen these same virtues in the human spirit (especially females) during my lifetime. So there's the connection!

I have posted below the original charcoal work that will make its way through the process on paper and canvas as well as the draft grisaille of the first of three works in this particular series of Nature's Vessels. With a few minor value and shape changes i have transferred it to watercolor paper approximately 11 x 15. I will then choose my palette and apply glazes.

Perhaps another triptych is in the wind.

"Vessels"

Divine Vessels

60 x 76
Acrylic Glazes

This post completes an ongoing project I began in October. I have learned many things from this experience....too numerous to mention here. But the overarching lesson learned was to never underestimate the ability and the need of the human spirit to continue to learn and grow and express ones self. This was truly an amazing experience. I would be remiss if I didn't mention my mentor on this journey, Kathy Cartwright (www.kcartwright@kacartwright.com)

Thank you Kathy!

Below is my artist statement for the series "Vessels". Following that is a statement that pertains specifically to the triptych Divine Vessels.

"Vessels"

My art reflects my search for life’s meaning through the exploration of the interrelations between the spiritual, physical and emotional realms. In that search, I’ve found a myriad of “vessels” that contain and from which emanate life-giving forces. The paintings in this series utilize vessels to metaphorically contextualize the transference of energies that nourish life both physically and spiritually. Although my paintings include recognizable subjects, I’m predominantly interested in the interplay of color and form, not just representation. Each work begins with the transformation of ordinary containers, such as bottles or vases, into abstracted forms that interrelate to create a symbolic vessel. Because I am a vessel, my canvases are the vessels that carry my thoughts and emotions to the viewer. I choose historically symbolic colors such as red for “life blood,” yellow for “power,” and blue for “truth” to support the message in each painting. I intend to explore the myriad of possibilities of this theme in the future.

Triptych: Divine Vessels
Divine Vessels is the first painting in the Vessels Series that expresses my belief in divine spirits that guide, inspire, and protect us. These vessels connect us to another life plane; they deliver messages and give us faith and hope. This triptych depicts earthly male and female figures in juxtaposition to the central divine figures as an expression of the connections between these two life planes. My palette consists of colors that support this theme expressing truth(blues); wisdom (violets/purples); power/presence (yellows/golds) and faith/peace (white).

Seeing the Light at the End of the Canvas

Just thought i would report that the triptych is still in progress. Hopefully by the end of the month it will be complete and i will post it. I am presently applying the color glazes. Even though i am working hard to master this technique, I don't know when i have had so much fun applying color! At the same time I am writing my artist statement about this series. This is not so much fun. It is very hard to put into words the emotion and thoughts of my work. I have always struggled with this. With my mentor, teacher and friend Kathy's (www.kacartwright.com) help i am sure i will accomplish this and more. So bear with me a while longer and hopefully you will feel it was worth it!